Revelation 20:12

Translations

Modern

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And books were opened, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books.

Traditional

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Literal

And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the one of life. And the dead were judged out of the things written in the books, according to their works.

Latin

Et vidi mortuos, magnos et pusillos, stantes in conspectu throni, et libri aperti sunt: et alius liber apertus est, qui est vitæ: et judicati sunt mortui ex his, quæ scripta erant in libris, secundum opera ipsorum:

Original

Greek

English

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And books were opened, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books.

Notes

Revelation 20:12

books were opened: See Psalm 56:8; Daniel 7:10.
The Book of Life contains the names of faithful people who have experienced God's saving power (Malachi 3:16; see Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:15). They are likely the same ones who experience the first resurrection (Revelation 20:5–6).
the dead were judged: The works of both the redeemed and the unredeemed will be judged (see Revelation 22:12; Matthew 16:27; 25:31–46).

Revelation 20:11–15

This segment describes a court hearing where the dead are judged based on their actions. God responds to ongoing rebellion with eternal punishment.

Revelation 19:11–20:15

The drama reaches its peak: God's enemies face defeat and punishment in two episodes (Revelation 19:11–21; 20:7–10). Meanwhile, the faithful enjoy a 1,000-year resurrection (Revelation 20:1–6) followed by the final judgment (20:11–15).

Theme notes and profiles

Death God as Holy Warrior God’s Anger God’s Grief over Apostasy God’s Justice God’s Promised Kingdom Holy War Resurrection in the Old Testament Security and Obedience The Day of the Lord The Purpose of the Judgments The Resurrection of Jesus The Resurrection of the Dead The Thousand Years (The Millennium) Visions

Related verses

2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.
Matthew 16:27
For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.
Daniel 7:10
A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands attended Him, and myriads upon myriads stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened.
Ecclesiastes 12:14
For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.
Revelation 2:23
Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
Revelation 22:12
“Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done.
Jeremiah 17:10
I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.
Revelation 11:18
The nations were enraged, and Your wrath has come. The time has come to judge the dead and to reward Your servants the prophets, as well as the saints and those who fear Your name, both small and great—and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”
Revelation 3:5
Like them, he who overcomes will be dressed in white. And I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels.
Romans 14:10–12
Why, then, do you judge your brother? Or why do you belittle your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.
Daniel 12:1–2
“At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.
Revelation 20:13
The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds.

Glossary

Book of Life Book of Revelation Bottomless Pit Demon Eschatology Hades Hell Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven Lake of Fire Last Judgment Lucifer Magog Millennium

Topics

Book of Life Books: Memorials of Conversation and Conduct of Men Books: The Record of the Church of Christ Death: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Judgment: According to Opportunity and Works Judgment: The General Lamb's Book of Life Millennium: General Scriptures Concerning The Judgment Day The Judgment: Shall be Held Upon: Small and Great The Second Coming of Christ: The Purposes of, are to Judge Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Opening of the Book of Life

Revelation 20:12

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